Both Central Florida (9-3) and N.C. State (7-5) enter Friday’s St. Petersburg Bowl on winning streaks, with the Knights winning their last four games by a combined 88 points and N.C. State emerging victorious in their last two by 57 points. UCF is coming off an exciting 32-30 victory over East Carolina that earned them a share of the AAC title, while N.C. State rolled in-state rival North Carolina, 35-7, to cap a 7-5 season that would’ve been even better if not for a four-game losing streak in the middle of the year.
The impact NFL prospects in this game will be wearing UCF uniforms tomorrow, with two players who will find themselves in the top 100 of many big boards this offseason leading the way, one on each side of the football.
By: Chris Tripodi
UCF
Breshad Perriman, WR, #11
The son of former Lions wide receiver and 1988 second-round pick Brett Perriman, Breshad brings a similar draft grade to the table as his father once did. At 6-2, 209 pounds, Perriman high points the ball well and has very good hands, although he could improve his aggressiveness at the catch point. A deep threat that can get behind the defense, Perriman averaged over 22 yards per catch this year with nine touchdowns.
While Perriman is far from raw as a receiver and should be able to contribute early in his NFL career, he does need to develop better technique to reach his full potential as a pro. A junior who’s expected to declare for the draft, Perriman is one of two top-100 prospects on UCF’s roster.
Clayton Geathers, SS, #26
Geathers is the other UCF star with a good chance to be drafted on the second day of the 2015 draft. A hard-hitting safety who performs best in the box and shows well playing downhill, Geathers also flashes ability in coverage. An effective man defender, Geathers’ fluid hips allow him to stay tight with receivers and tight ends down the field.
The senior safety’s versatility is key to his NFL evaluation, as he doesn’t need to be protected in any facet of the game. With just three career interceptions, Geathers isn’t a ballhawk but does show the ability to create turnovers by forcing fumbles, which he’s done at least once every season since his sophomore year. Geathers has the potential to be a tone setter on defense and is a big part of a talented UCF defense.
Terrance Plummer, LB, #41
A limited athlete without great size (6-0, 240), Plummer just produces on the football field. UCF’s leading tackler over the past two seasons, Plummer needs 10 tackles Friday to eclipse 100 for the third straight season. A lack of lateral burst and agility limits his range and ability to chase down plays from behind, but Plummer is extremely effective playing downhill between the tackles and is a sure tackler.
Ineffective moving in reverse and in downfield coverage, Plummer is a two-down linebacker prospect that projects as a backup with the potential to make an impact on special teams at the NFL level. He may get drafted late on Day 3, but seems more likely to land on a roster as an undrafted free agent.
N.C. State
Thomas Teal, DT, #69
A 6-1, 301-pound senior, Teal is one of the leaders of an N.C. State defense that ranked second-to-last in the ACC in points allowed at 27 per game. Teal consistently faces double teams from opponents and is effectively neutralized at the point of attack in those situations. Often Teal will drop his shoulder into blocks when he isn’t the low man off the snap, which gets him washed out of numerous plays against the run.
When Teal does get off the line quickly, he is adept at staying low and using a quick swim or rip move to beat opposing linemen to the spot and penetrate the backfield to make tackles behind the line of scrimmage. Teal is a limited pass rusher as he has just six sacks over the past two seasons, and should be viewed as a late Day 3 prospect at best that can bring his gap-shooting skills to the end of a defensive line rotation at the NFL level.
Tyson Chandler, OT, #74
A road-grading right tackle who tips the scales at 345 pounds with his 6-6 frame, Chandler is stronger as a run blocker than he is in pass protection. His wide base makes it tough for opposing defenders to get around him once he engages his blocks, but he doesn’t always hold on for the entire play. Chandler moves well for his size and shows the ability to get to the second level, but struggles to reset his base and seal off linebackers once he moves beyond the line of scrimmage.
Chandler quickly sets in his kick slide to protect the edge and while his base makes him tough to beat around the edge when he gets to his spot first, he has slow feet when trying to mirror defenders who display quick, twitchy rush moves. Chandler lacks the agility to quickly adjust to inside moves when he’s moving to set the edge, making him susceptible to quick swims and rips inside that gives defenders a straight line to the quarterback. His size could get him drafted, but Chandler’s weaknesses may push him out of the draft entirely.
Others to Watch:
UCF
Torrian Wilson, OT, #72, 6-3, 308
Rannell Hall, WR, #6, 6-1, 196
Brandon Alexander, S, #37, 6-2, 195
N.C. State
Rob Crisp, OT, #78, 6-7, 290
Niklas Sade, K, #32, 6-3, 208
Wil Baumann, P, #36, 6-6, 197
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